Security Docs On Biden’s Ireland Trip Found On Belfast Street

A security breach is being investigated by authorities in Northern Ireland, following the discovery of confidential security documents related to the visit of President Joe Biden. The documents detailing road closures and deployments of local police were discovered lying in a Belfast street, reported by a BBC Radio Ulster listener. The pages, marked “OFFICIAL SENSITIVE”, were found crumpled, with certain passages blacked out. The authenticity of the documents was confirmed by a U.S. law enforcement official, who expressed “full confidence in our partners” tasked with the protection of the President. PSNI officials have launched an investigation into the security breach.

Biden traveled to Northern Ireland this week to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement that brought an end to the 30-year period of constant unrest known as “the Troubles.” He met with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and in his speech at Ulster University, urged Northern Ireland to avoid a return to instability, noting the shooting of Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell, for which the New IRA claimed responsibility. MI5, the UK’s security agency, raised the terror threat level ahead of Biden’s visit, and police discovered a suspected bomb plot to disrupt the trip.

This incident with the security itinerary surfacing in Belfast coincides with the U.S. government investigating leaked Pentagon classified documents circulating online, with the Department of Justice opening a criminal investigation following a referral from the DoD. Pentagon officials are working to assess the impact on national security and the validity of the leaks.